If you’ve ever longed for the comfort of a classic Southern dessert in easy, bite-sized form, then Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Imagine everything you adore about a buttery, vanilla-laced cake—only compact, chewy, and topped with a melt-in-your-mouth butter glaze. These cookies come together quickly, look irresistible dusted with powdered sugar, and hit all the right nostalgic notes whether you’re baking for holidays, picnics, or a casual Tuesday treat.

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s a certain magic in the simplicity of this list: every ingredient plays a starring role in giving Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies their signature softness, golden color, and that unforgettable vanilla-glazed top. Don’t overlook the fundamentals—when each one brings something special, the cookies shine!

Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 ounces): The shortcut secret to both tenderness and classic cake flavor, making the cookies light and moist.
Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, melted): Brings the trademark richness and softness, and ensures every bite is infused with butter’s golden goodness.
Large egg (1): Binds the dough and adds a hint of richness, keeping the cookies chewy and perfectly textured.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons, divided): Divided between the dough and glaze, it layers in deep vanilla warmth that echoes old-fashioned cakes.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Used for the glaze, it dissolves into a shiny, sweet finish that soaks right into the cookies.
Water (1/4 cup): Helps create the silky butter glaze that sets the cookies apart and keeps them extra moist.
Unsalted butter, cubed (1/4 cup): Combined with sugar and water, it transforms into a decadent topping for that signature Kentucky Butter Cake glaze.
Powdered sugar (for dusting): Adds just the right touch of sweetness and a beautiful bakery-style finish.

How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven

Get started by firing up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little bit of prep means your Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies will bake evenly and pop right off the trays—no sticking, no mess, just golden bottoms every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, one large egg, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir everything together until you have a soft, uniform dough that practically begs to be scooped. You don’t need a mixer—just a sturdy spoon and some enthusiasm will do!

Step 3: Scoop and Shape

Scoop out tablespoon-sized pieces of dough, rolling each into a ball with your hands. Place the dough balls about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets—these cookies puff up a bit as they bake, and the spacing helps them turn out beautifully round.

Step 4: Bake

Slide your sheets into the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The goal is pale, gently golden edges and soft centers. Don’t wait for dramatic browning—pulling them at just the right moment keeps that iconic butter cake chewiness. Let the irresistible aroma transport you straight to a Kentucky front porch!

Step 5: Make the Butter Glaze

While your cookies are in the oven, grab a small saucepan for the butter glaze. Stir together the granulated sugar, water, and cubed butter over medium heat until melted and the sugar has fully dissolved. Take it off the heat and stir in that last bit of vanilla. It should look shiny and pourable—an absolute temptation.

Step 6: Glaze, Cool, and Dust

As soon as the cookies come out, brush each one generously with the warm butter glaze. The magic happens as the glaze soaks into the still-warm cookies, leaving them glossy and extra moist. Let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once they’re just slightly warm, dust them with powdered sugar for that picture-perfect finish. It’s hard not to sneak one right away!

How to Serve Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

Garnishes

Garnishing Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies is all about simplicity and charm. A snowy dusting of powdered sugar makes them look straight out of a bakery window, but don’t be shy about getting creative—a tiny pinch of cinnamon-sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can take them to new heights without stealing the spotlight from that iconic butter flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies are rich with butter and vanilla, which means they pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of Southern sweet tea. If you’re feeling festive, serve them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance their sweetness with something bright and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation turns Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies into a true celebration treat! Stack them high on a vintage tiered cake stand, tuck a few in linen-lined baskets for gifting, or even wrap each one individually in wax paper for party favors. These cookies make lovely additions to dessert platters and cookie exchanges—you’ll watch them disappear in minutes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your cookies pillowy and rich, store Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and flavorful for up to four days, and you might notice the flavors deepening as the glaze soaks in overnight—if they last that long!

Freezing

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies freeze remarkably well. Once cooled and glazed, arrange them in layers separated by parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to two months. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for that signature tenderness.

Reheating

If you like your cookies just slightly warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for two or three minutes. This will refresh the glaze and bring back that just-baked aroma without drying them out. Microwave reheating isn’t ideal for these buttery confections, so stick to the oven for best results.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can switch things up! While the classic yellow cake mix is what gives Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies their traditional flavor, experimenting with vanilla or even butter golden cake mixes can add a personal twist. Just know the texture and sweetness may differ a bit.

Do I have to make the glaze?

The butter glaze is what sets these cookies apart, soaking each bite in buttery sweetness. Skipping it means missing out on that iconic flavor and texture, but if you need to simplify, the cookies themselves are still delicious—just less reminiscent of classic Kentucky Butter Cake.

Can I make these cookies ahead for an event?

Absolutely! In fact, Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies often taste even better the day after baking. Make them a day ahead, store tightly covered, and give a fresh dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for a flawless presentation.

What’s the best way to keep the cookies soft?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and don’t overbake. A slice of white bread in the container can also help keep texture perfect by maintaining just the right level of moisture.

Are these cookies suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, as long as you’re using a vegetarian-friendly cake mix, Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are completely vegetarian. Just double-check your ingredient labels to be sure!

Final Thoughts

Few treats bring people together quite like Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies. They’re simple, nostalgic, and bursting with buttery goodness—the kind of recipe you’ll reach for whenever you want to make memories in the kitchen. Gather your ingredients, warm up the oven, and get ready to fall in love with every sweet bite!

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of these Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies. Made with a yellow cake mix and a decadent butter glaze, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Butter Glaze:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional:

Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Form a soft dough.
Shape and bake: Scoop dough into balls, place on baking sheets, and bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are golden.
Prepare the glaze: Combine sugar, water, and butter in a saucepan. Cook until sugar dissolves, then stir in vanilla.
Glaze the cookies: Brush warm glaze over hot cookies as they come out of the oven.
Cool and serve: Let cookies cool on a rack, then dust with powdered sugar.